ZF Works Council Condemns Restructuring as “Clear Attack” on Saarbrücken Workforce
ZF employees in Saarbrücken are bracing for potential upheaval following the announcement of significant restructuring plans, with works council representatives denouncing the move as a breach of trust and a direct assault on existing contracts. A video released Friday afternoon to ZF employees and the Süddeutsche Zeitung editorial team reveals the depth of the discontent, as council members outline their opposition to the proposed changes.
The core of the dispute centers on ZF’s plans to reduce operations in Saarbrücken, a move that reportedly involves relocating several sectors to a facility in Eger, Hungary. According to the works council, the decision was revealed last Tuesday during an economic advisory board meeting.
“This procedure is clearly an attack on our location here in Saarbrücken,” one works council member stated in the video. The outrage extends beyond the potential job losses, encompassing concerns over the future of supplemental benefits for the Saarbrücken workforce. Lea Corzilius, the HR manager for the ZF group, has indicated that these over-tariff services are now under review.
“This is clearly an attack on existing contracts,” another council representative asserted. “Anyone who believes that they can handle us like this has been mistaken.” The over-tariff services, council members explained, represent a voluntary contribution from employees designed to secure the long-term viability of the Saarbrücken plant, with some characterizing it as a form of “double payment” for job security.
The announcement has severely eroded trust in ZF’s leadership. “Why should we negotiate something with a company and conclude agreements if the company does not comply with previous agreements?” a council member questioned, highlighting the perceived hypocrisy of seeking future collaboration while disregarding existing commitments.
The works council has already communicated its concerns to higher levels within the ZF organization, recognizing the urgency of the situation. A crucial supervisory board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 29, in Friedrichshafen, where ZF leadership intends to integrate the Saarbrücken changes into its overall strategic planning.
In a defiant stance, the works council has vowed to actively oppose the proposed restructuring. “We don’t participate!” one representative declared, announcing plans to mobilize support from the broader ZF works council and organize information events and demonstrations. A YouTube video detailing the council’s position has already garnered over 6,000 views within a day of its release, reaching a significant portion of the 8,500-strong workforce at the Saarbrücken plant.
The situation remains fluid, but the works council’s firm opposition signals a potentially contentious period for ZF and its employees in Saarbrücken.
